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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Health Authority on Tuesday confirmed that 12 cases of E. coli have been discovered around the state, with eight of them linked to Chipotle restaurants with the remainder likely linked, pending test results.

A sign seen on the door of a Portland Chipotle restaurant, November 1 2015. (KOIN)

The outbreak also affected Washington state, where 25 people were infected by E. coli. Nine of those people were hospitalized.

All of the patients in Washington are in western Washington, with 11 of them in Clark County.

A total of 43 Chipotle restaurants in Oregon and Washington were closed on October 30 and remain closed.

Katrina Hedberg, an Oregon Public Health Officer, says that the Oregon Health Authority is working to find the cause of the outbreak. She says so far, it looks like the outbreak is limited to Chipotle restaurants in the Pacific Northwest.

The Oregon Health Authority believes the outbreak began October 7, but says it could have began earlier or later. The first case reported was someone who ate at a restaurant October 7.

The people diagnosed ate a range of foods, including meat and vegetarian dishes, likening the cause to be a fresh food put in all dishes at the restaurant.

The Oregon Health Authority believes the outbreak began on or around October 7